SpaceX's capsule nears ISS on Sunday

WASHINGTON (AFP) - A privately-owned unmanned US space capsule neared the International Space Station (ISS) early on Sunday, preparing to dock to deliver food, scientific materials and other crucial equipment.

"Dragon is scheduled to be captured on Sunday at 6.31 am EST (19.31pm on Sunday, Singapore time) by Nasa Expedition 34 Commander Kevin Ford and Nasa Flight Engineer Tom Marshburn," the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) said in a statement.

Nasa said SpaceX's Dragon would be installed onto the Earth-facing port of the ISS's Harmony module by ground experts at mission control in Houston and bolted into place via commands by the ISS crew.

The original plan was for Dragon to attach to the space station on Saturday and return to Earth on March 25, splashing down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Mexico's Baja California peninsula.